Attachment to screw-feed pencils



mini.

Patented Nov. 8,

A. FLYEMING. ATTACHMENT T0 SCREW FEED FENCILS.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN26| |921.

S n R I me m NF O m7 E w m A 0 n r b PATENT FFICE.

AMBROSE FLEMING, 0F ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

ATTACHMENT T0 SCREW-FEED PENCILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. s, 192i.

Application led January 26, 1921. Serial No. 440,116.

To all w hom t may concern Be it knownthat I, AMBRosE FLEMING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alexandria, in the county of Alexandria and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Attachments to Screw Feed Pencils, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention has Areference to that type of writing deyices in which the pencil holder is designed for containing a number of extra pencil leads adapted for being individually withdrawn, a'fter the closure cap of the holder is removed, for being en teredV into the lead receiving end of the holder, at which position the llead is frictionally held and adapted for being projected to the writing adjustment, after the writing end of a prior lead is used up, by a plunger pin operated by turningthe end cap ofthe holder.

My invention particularly seeks to. provide certain improvements to the type of encil holder stated that primarily has for its object to hold a relatively large supply of the leads within the casing and in such manner that, under certain adjustments of the lead injector means, a new lead can instantly and positively fed into position for being engaged b the ejecting devices and projected beyon the polntpassage of the casing, withoutthe necessity'of disconnecting any of the parts ofthe holder and in which is included a magazine ofv inexpenf sive and simple construction that can be easily applied to the casing of a Well known type of magazine equipped pencils'and used, in addition to the regular leads holding compartment of the pencil, whereby rovision is made for carryin aV relatively arge ynumber of leads in addition to those held in the regular holding compartment of the' pencil, and sustained in a osition for being individually fed into ace to be projected to the writing condition, by a simple manipulation of the parts of the holder'without the necessity of separating said parts.

A further `object of my present invention is to provide a supplemental leads holding magazine for pencil holders of the character mentioned, that can be readily removed (when emptied) for refilling,by transferring the leads held in the usual way in the holder casing into the said supplemental magazine, the latter when replaced-ywithin the holder casing, bein adapted for automatically feeding the individual leads into position lto be projected for writing.'

ffor being projected to the writing condition by the plunger pin devices.

Another and essential feature of my present inventionis to provide certain improved attachments for the conventional type of pencil lead holders of the lkind mentioned, that can be readily embodied in the present construction of magazine equipped pencil without materially increasing their present cost of manufacture, in which the operation of feeding the leads, practically automatically, into the writing position, is so simple that any one familiar with the use of pencil holders such as stated, may manipulate the pencil without danger of breaking the leads or choking the proper cooperation of the connected parts.

`With other objects in view that will be hereinafter explained, mypresent invention comprehends certain improved features of construction and peculiar combination of parts explained in thefollowing detailed description, specifically pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated inthe ac companying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pencil holder embodying my invention, the parts being shown positioned forelfecting the operation of feeding a new lead into position Fig. 2l is an enlarged longitudinal section of the pencil casing, withmy leads holding,

and feeding magazine attachmentsapplied thereto, the usual lead projecting means be- -ing om1tted.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail side view of the leadsl projecting meansthat cooperate with the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. LLis a further enlarged detail longitudinal section of a portion of the pencil and the operating portionof the leads projecting device, the latterI being shown at the pulled back position indicated in Fig. L Y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail cross sectlon taken on the line 5 5 on Fig. 2 and shows the supplemental leads carrying magazine as artially emptied.

ig. 6 is a similar view taken on the llne 6-6 on Fig. 2, the magazine being shown illed with leads.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 7-7, on

Fig. 4, lthe follower member being shownl in elevation and as having been turned out of the pull-bach slot.

In the practical development of my present invention, instead of making the outer or tapering end of the holder as a fixed part of the casing, it is a separate member, consisting of a body 2 that is formed with a. tubular extension 20 whose shouldered end 21 frictionally seats and has rotation within the forward end of the main casing or holder 1 and the inner extremity of the said portion 21 has oppositely disposed longitudinal slots 22, the reason for which will presently appear.

' he tubular extension 2() merges with an axial bore 23, which extends through the bod v2 and whose outer portion is internally threaded for receiving the steel plug 3 through which the point end ot' the pencil lead is passed and in which it is gripped against falling out by the longitudinal burs on the sleeves, as is well known to users of the type ot' pencils mentioned.

The main casingl includes the usual inner liner or tube 10 provided with the internal feed screw 11, which extends nearly the full length thereof and with which the screw or follower head 40 engages, the latter being connected to the rear end of the pencil pusher or ejector pin 4, as is best shown in Fig. 3, by reference to which and to Fig. 7 it will be noticed the head 40 is adapted for traveling between the oppositely disposed hollow side bars 42 that constitute the lead holders and which are joined in the usual way, at their outer ends, by an internally 1 threaded head piece 43 onto which the finger cap 5 is secured, it being understood that the head piece 43 has the usual open passages through which the pencil leads. designed are fed to assume the position shown in Fig. 7, it being understood that the leads may be readily withdrawn from the said side bars 42, (which bars constitute the primary leads magazine) as hereinafter further mentioned, when the cap 5 is removed.

When the pencil holder is arranged in accordance with my invention, the internal screw way ofthe liner 10 is cut to produce two opposite channels or grooves 12-12, which extend nearly the full length of the said screw way and, in the inner end of the said liner, is tted a centrally apertured plug 6, the reason for which will presently appear. f

By referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be noticed the parts are so arranged that a longitudinal chamber is formed by the forward end of the casing 1 and the adjacent tubular end of the rotatable front end or body 2 of the holder, and it is in this chamber, designated 8, in which is mounted the supplemental leads holding magazine, from which, as presently explained, the leads are dropped singly into the leads receiver, from which they are projected forwardly by the ejector pin device, in the usual wa v plug 6 and the inner end of the tubular portion of the body 2; or in other words, a distance equal or slightly longer than the supplemental leads holding magazine 15 with which it cooperates.

The supplemental magazine l5 is formed by shaping up a thin'spring metal blank,

`substantially the length of the chamber S and bending it to tubular form with one edge bent inwardly its full length to produce an internal abutment flange 16 that also constitutes a guide or stop against which that one of the series of leads contained in the said magazine is caused to abut and be held in position for dropping through the Slotway 90 of the receiver 9, when the parts are manipulated as hereinafter explained.

It should be stated that, when assembling the parts, the supplemental magazine is dropped into the open end of the casing before the outer end 2 is fitted in place and by holding the said magazine 15 upright, it can be readily filled with leads, arranged in annular relation, as indicated in Fig. G, it being observed that the leads lie around the tubular receiver 9, which constitutes an inner bearing around which the leads may be rolled, as the magazine is turned to bring that one of the leads, (indicated a in Fig. 6) in position against the stop fiange 1G ready for being dropped info the receiver 9.

The magazine 15 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite radial projections 91 that are received within the slots 22 of the tubular extension of the rotatable body 2 of the holder (see Figs. 2 and and by reason of such connection of the magazine 9 and the body 2, rotation of the said body 2, relatively to the casing 1, causes the leads within the magazine to readily come into position for being dropped into the receiver, when the latter is empty.

In the type of pencil holders, for which my attachments are particularly provided, when a pencil lead has been used up. the plunger or ejector pin is slowly withdrawn. by unthreading the parts, and' a new lead is supplied by unscrewing the cap 5 on the outer end of the ejector device to permit of withdrawing a single lead, which lead is then inserted through the point aperture in the tapered front end closure ot the casings 42.

With my supplemental magazine devices attached. a large number ot leadsare hold within the supplemental magazine and. when they -have been used, those in the primary magazines or hollow bars can .be readily transferred to the supplemental magazine.

By providing the internal screw way inA the liner 10 and forming the said liner with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal channels or grooves 12, when it is desired to feed a new lead into place from the supplemental magazine, the ejector pin can be quickly pulled back to thevlimit of its outward movement, (see Fig. l) by simply bringing the threaded projection 4.0 of the plunger head to aline the said grooves 12, since, when thus positioned, the projections are disconnected from the screw way and hence, with `the pin, can b'e almost instantly pulled to the limit of its outward' adjustment, which brings the front end of the ejector pin just beyond the inner end of the supplemental magazine (see Fig. 4:) and leaves the receiver free for dropping another lead into position, which is done by simply turning the member 2 to bring the next lead a in line' with the slotway of the pencil receiver. j

By then giving the ejector device a turn, the vradial projections on the head 40 will at once engage the screw threads and the ejector can then be fed forward in the usual way to feed out the leads, as required.

My improved attachments can be readily applied in connection with the pencil casings and ejector devices of the type of pencils stated without appreciably increasing the expense of manufacture of such types of pencils now on the market.

A great advantage is attained through my invention over the said forms of pencils as now made, since a greater number of leads can be carried in the holder and there is no need of separating any of the parts, when it isl desired to place a new lead into position, since all that is necessary is to turn the ejec- ,tor device in position for being instantly pulled back to the limit of its movement,

which insures the proper positioning of the front end of the plunger and leaves the parts in condition for the practically automatic feedin into place of a new lead, a slight turn o the front end of the holder being all that is necessary to accomplish that.

To steady the magazine and provide a solid bearing therefor within the chamber 8, a sleeve 17 is tightly a-ttached thereto and which bears against the inner wall of the tube or casing portion, as shown in Fig. 2.

What I claim is:

1. In a pencil holder of the character described, wherein is provided a casin a plunger having screw connection with t e casing for feeding the lead forwardly and a longitudinally slidable member carrying said plunger and adapted to be turned to feed the plunger forwardly; means for releasin the plunger from feeding engagement wit the casing, whereby the plunger may be withdrawn from coperation with the leads, a lead magazine, a lead receiver, and means coperative when the said plunger is withdrawn for dropping leads from the magazine into the receiver.

2. In a pencil holder of the character described, in which is included a casing, a lead receiver within the forward or open end of the casing, a plunger having a screw connection with the casing, whereby said' plunger is fed forward for engagement with and to eject the lead within the receiver, the said plunger being adapted for disengagement with the screw connection and freely pulled back from operative connection with the lead receiver, and a leads magazine annularly surrounding the lead receiver and means for sustaining the leads for being dropped into the said receiver by adjustment of tlliie magazine, when the plunger is pulled bac 3. In a pencil holder ofthe character described, in which is included a casing, a lead receiver within the forward or open end of the casing, a plunger having a screw connection with the casing, whereby said plunger is fed forward for engagement with and to eject the lead within the receiver, the said plunger being adapted for disengagement with the screw connection andl freely pulled back from operative connection with the lead receiver, and a leads magazine annularly surrounding the lead receiver and means for sustaining the leads for being dropped into the said receiver by adjustment of the magazine, when the plunger is pulled back, and other means operable externally of the casing for effecting adjustment of the magazine to bring the annularly disposed leads into position for dropping into the receiver and in position for being engaged by the plunger, as it is screw fed in the forward direction.

4.A pencil holder of the character described comprising a casing, a tapered body rotatably mounted inthe forward end of the casting, the said body being apertured for the passage of the pencil lead therethrough, the said casing having an internal screw threadway in the rear end thereof, a troughlike lead receiverthat extends from the inner end of the threaded portion of the casing into the rotatable body member and in alinement with its lead passage, a plunger device including a head having portions for engaging the screw way in the casing, the said plunger and the threadway being disconnected when the plunger is adjusted to a predetermined position,v whereby` the said plunger is adapted for being freely pulled directly back to the. limit of its movement, whereby to leave the receiver free for the reception of a new lead, a magazine rotatably mounted within the casing tion of the magazine iseifected, when the said casing member is rotated lwith respect tothe receiver.

5. A pencil holderl of the character described comprising a casing, a tapered body rotatably mounted .in the forward end of the casing, the said body being apertured for .the passage of the pencil lead therethrough the said casing having an internal screw threadway in the rear end thereof, a troughlike lead receiver that extends from the inner end of the threaded portion of the easing into the rotatable body member andj in alinement with its lead passage, a plunger device including a head having p01'- tions for engaging the screw way 1n the casing, the said plunger and the threadway being disconnected, when the plunger is adjusted to a predetermined position, whereby the said plunger is adapted for being freely pulled directly back to the limit of its movement, whereby to leave the receiver free for the reception of a new lead, a magazine rotatably mounted within the casing and adapted, when rotated, to feed the leads into the lead receiver, when the latter is empty, and .the plunger is drawn back, and connections that join the rotatable casing member and the magazine, whereby rotation of the magazine is effected, when the said casing member is rotated with respect to the receiver, the said magazine including means for holding the leads in position for dropping their full length into the receiver, when the lead to be dropped is brought into alinement with the open portion off the trough-like receiver and in position for being engaged by the follower device, when the latter ig adjusted for engagement with the feed screw in the casing.

6. A. pencil holder having a lead passage,

a trough-like lead receiverin line with the said passage, a4 plunger coperative with the casing, said plunger` being screw fed to the pencil ejecting direction and freely movable within the casing in the opposite di rection, a magazine inclosed within the casing and adapted for holding extra leads in annular relation with respect to the lead receiver, and means operable externally of the holder for turning the magazine with respect to the receiver, whereby to bring a predetermined one of the extra leads in lposition for being dropped, its full length, into the receiver and in position for being engaged by the screw plunger and ejected through the lead passage in the holder.

7. A pencil holder having a lead passage, a trough-like lead receiver in line with the said passage, a plunger coperative with the casing, said plunger being screw fed to the pencil ejecting.- direction and freely movable Within the casing in the opposite direction, a magazine inclosed Within the casing and adapted for holding extra leads in annular relation with respect to the lead receiver, and means operable externally of the holder for turning the magazine with respect to the receiver, whereby tol bring a predetermined one of the extra leads in position for being dropped, its full length, into the receiver and in position for being engaged by the screw fed plunger and ejected through the lead passage in the holder, the said plunger including a head having a radially projected screw'thread engaging member, the screw way in the casing having a cut groove extended practically its entire length, Whereby, When the thread engaging member of the plunger is turned into alinement with the said groove, the said plunger can be freely withdrawn from the casing to bring its ejecting end in position for\being fed out to engage a lead fed from the magazine into the receiver.

AMBRosE FLEMING. 

